Vented Canopy Tent

ABSTRACT

A vented canopy tent for use in combination with a playard includes a top surface having four sides extending downwards therefrom and defining an interior cavity; wherein the first and third sides are at opposing ends and the second and fourth sides are at opposing ends; each of the four sides having a first height; each of the four sides including a plurality of ventilation openings at an intermediate height having a height less than half of the first height, wherein the ventilation openings permit passage of air therethrough; a flap defining a portion of the top surface; a fastening element at the top surface being selectively operable between an open and closed configurations; and at least one fastener for securing the vented canopy tent to the playard.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/835,104 filed on Apr. 17, 2019.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a vented canopy tent and, more particularly, a vented canopy tent for use in conjunction with a playard for young children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many babies sleep better in dark, distraction-free environments. Playards provide a safe space for babies and toddlers to play and sleep, but they generally include an open top end, which permits light to enter. Accordingly, some babies and toddlers have trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep due to the potentially high degree of external light exposure.

While some caretakers might attempt to solve this problem by placing a large blanket or towel over the playard, carbon dioxide rebreathing and overheating can present potential issues in such instances. Carbon dioxide rebreathing is defined as the inhalation of previously exhaled carbon dioxide. Normally, exhaled breaths diffuse into the atmosphere and have a minimal impact on the relative concentration of gases in subsequent breaths. However, if anything hinders this diffusion of gases then a dangerous build-up of carbon dioxide can occur, increasing respiratory effort.

Therefore, with the above problems taken into consideration, there exists a need for a canopy tent configurable for use in connection with playards, wherein the canopy tent serves to minimize incoming light and other external stimulation so that the baby can more readily sleep while in the playard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one form of the present invention, there is provided a vented canopy tent for use in combination with a playard having four legs, the vented canopy tent including a top surface having first, second, third and fourth sides extending downwards from the top surface and defining an interior cavity; wherein the first and third sides are at opposing ends and the second and fourth sides are at opposing ends; each of the four sides having a first height; each of the four sides including a plurality of ventilation openings at an intermediate height having a height less than the first height, wherein the ventilation openings permit passage of air therethrough; a flap defining a portion of the top surface; a fastening element at the top surface being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the open configuration defines the flap being at least partially separated from the top surface to expose the interior cavity and wherein the closed configuration defines the flap being connected to the top surface such that the interior cavity is not exposed; and at least one fastener on one of the first, second, third and fourth sides, the at least one fastener being structured and disposed for securing the vented canopy tent to the playard.

In accordance with another form of the present invention, there is provided a vented canopy tent for use in combination with a playard having four legs, the vented canopy tent including a top surface having first, second, third and fourth sides extending downwards from the top surface and defining an interior cavity; wherein the first and third sides are at opposing ends and the second and fourth sides are at opposing ends; each of the four sides having a first height; each of the four sides including a plurality of ventilation openings at an intermediate height having a height less than half of the first height, wherein the ventilation openings permit passage of air therethrough; a flap defining a portion of the top surface; a fastening element at the top surface being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the open configuration defines the flap being at least partially separated from the top surface to expose the interior cavity and wherein the closed configuration defines the flap being connected to the top surface such that the interior cavity is not exposed; and at least one fastener on one of the first, second, third and fourth sides, the at least one fastener being structured and disposed for securing the vented canopy tent to the playard.

In accordance with another form of the present invention, there is provided a vented canopy tent for use in combination with a playard having four legs, the vented canopy tent including a top surface having first, second, third and fourth sides extending downwards from the top surface and defining an interior cavity; wherein the first and third sides are at opposing ends and the second and fourth sides are at opposing ends; each of the four sides having a first height; each of the four sides including a plurality of ventilation openings at an intermediate height having a height less than the first height, wherein the ventilation openings permit passage of air therethrough; a flap defining a portion of the top surface; a fastening element at the top surface being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the open configuration defines the flap being at least partially separated from the top surface to expose the interior cavity and wherein the closed configuration defines the flap being connected to the top surface such that the interior cavity is not exposed; and an elastic pocket located approximately between each of the first and second, second and third, third and fourth, and fourth and first sides, each elastic pocket being sized and configured to wrap around a distal end of a corresponding one of the four legs of the playard for securing the vented canopy tent to the playard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vented canopy tent of the present invention in the closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vented canopy tent in the open configuration and an isolated view of the fastening element;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plurality of ventilation openings on one side of the vented canopy tent;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the vented canopy tent in the closed configuration and an isolated view of the at least one fastener;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vented canopy tent stowed in a bag; and

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view illustrating another embodiment of the vented canopy tent secured to the playard.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, the vented canopy tent for use in combination with a playard 100 is shown and generally indicated as 10.

The vented canopy tent 10 includes a top surface 12 having a first side 14, a second side 16, a third side 18 and a fourth side 20, each extending downwards from the top surface 12 and defining an interior cavity 22. The first and third sides 14 and 18 are at opposing ends and the second and fourth sides 16 and 20 are at opposing ends. Each of the four sides 14, 16, 18 and 20 have a first height.

Each of the four sides 14, 16, 18 and 20 include a plurality of ventilation openings 24 at an intermediate height having a height less than the first height of the four sides 14, 16, 18 and 20. In one embodiment, the intermediate height is less than half the height of the first height of the four sides 14, 16, 18 and 20. The ventilation openings 24 permit passage of air, including carbon dioxide, therethrough. The plurality of ventilation openings 24 further provide for better airflow to lessen the likelihood of overheating within the playard 100. Moreover, in one embodiment, each of the plurality of openings 24 is in corresponding alignment with each of the plurality of ventilation openings on the opposing side 14, 16, 18 or 20; e.g., sides 14 and 18 and/or sides 16 and 20. The ventilation openings 24 may include a mesh material partially covering the ventilation openings 24 in order to prevent a child in the playard 100 from getting his or her finger or other limb stuck therein, while still readily permitting airflow therethrough.

A flap 26 defines a portion of the top surface 12 and includes a fastening element 28 at the top surface 12 that is selectively operable between an open configuration 30 and a closed configuration 32, wherein the open configuration 30 defines the flap 26 being at least partially separated from the top surface 12 to expose the interior cavity 22 and wherein the closed configuration 32 defines the flap 26 being connected to the top surface 12 such that the interior cavity 22 is not exposed. In one embodiment, the fastening element 28 is zipper. Other nonlimiting embodiments of the fastening element 28 include hook and loop fastening elements and snap fastening elements. In one embodiment, the top surface 12 consists of two separate layers of fabric such that a greater percentage of light is prevented from entering the interior cavity 22. In another embodiment, the top surface 12 consists of a thicker single layer of fabric relative to the four sides 14, 16, 18 and 20 such that a greater percentage of light is prevented from entering the interior cavity 22 via the top surface 12.

There is at least one fastener 34 on one of the first, second, third and fourth sides, the at least one fastener 34 being structured and disposed for securing the vented canopy tent 10 to the playard 100. In one embodiment, the at least one fastener 34 is a strap fastener 36 having a hook and loop element. In one embodiment, the vented canopy tent 10 includes at least one fastener 34 at each of the four corners approximate the location where adjacent sides 14, 16, 18 and 20 come together.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the at least one fastener 34 is an elastic pocket 38 located approximately between each of the first and second, second and third, third and fourth, and fourth and first sides, each elastic pocket 38 being sized and configured to wrap around a distal end of a corresponding one of the four legs of the playard 100 for securing the vented canopy tent 10 to the playard 100.

Referring to FIG. 6, a bag 40 may be provided for stowing the vented canopy tent 10 when it is not in use.

While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vented canopy tent for use in combination with a playard having four legs, the vented canopy tent comprising: a top surface having first, second, third and fourth sides extending downwards from the top surface and defining an interior cavity; wherein the first and third sides are at opposing ends and the second and fourth sides are at opposing ends; each of the four sides having a first height; each of the four sides including a plurality of ventilation openings at an intermediate height having a height less than the first height, wherein the ventilation openings permit passage of air therethrough; a flap defining a portion of the top surface; a fastening element at the top surface being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the open configuration defines the flap being at least partially separated from the top surface to expose the interior cavity and wherein the closed configuration defines the flap being connected to the top surface such that the interior cavity is not exposed; and at least one fastener on one of the first, second, third and fourth sides, the at least one fastener being structured and disposed for securing the vented canopy tent to the playard.
 2. The vented canopy tent as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one fastener is a strap.
 3. The vented canopy tent as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one fastener comprises four fasteners.
 4. The vented canopy tent as recited in claim 3 wherein each of the four fasteners comprises an elastic pocket sized and configured to wrap around a distal end of a corresponding one of the four legs of the playard.
 5. A vented canopy tent for use in combination with a playard having four legs, the vented canopy tent comprising: a top surface having first, second, third and fourth sides extending downwards from the top surface and defining an interior cavity; wherein the first and third sides are at opposing ends and the second and fourth sides are at opposing ends; each of the four sides having a first height; each of the four sides including a plurality of ventilation openings at an intermediate height having a height less than half of the first height, wherein the ventilation openings permit passage of air therethrough; a flap defining a portion of the top surface; a fastening element at the top surface being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the open configuration defines the flap being at least partially separated from the top surface to expose the interior cavity and wherein the closed configuration defines the flap being connected to the top surface such that the interior cavity is not exposed; and at least one fastener on one of the first, second, third and fourth sides, the at least one fastener being structured and disposed for securing the vented canopy tent to the playard.
 6. The vented canopy tent as recited in claim 5 wherein the at least one fastener is a strap.
 7. The vented canopy tent as recited in claim 5 wherein the at least one fastener comprises four fasteners.
 8. The vented canopy tent as recited in claim 7 wherein each of the four fasteners comprises an elastic pocket sized and configured to wrap around a distal end of a corresponding one of the four legs of the playard.
 9. A vented canopy tent for use in combination with a playard having four legs, the vented canopy tent comprising: a top surface having first, second, third and fourth sides extending downwards from the top surface and defining an interior cavity; wherein the first and third sides are at opposing ends and the second and fourth sides are at opposing ends; each of the four sides having a first height; each of the four sides including a plurality of ventilation openings at an intermediate height having a height less than the first height, wherein the ventilation openings permit passage of air therethrough; a flap defining a portion of the top surface; a fastening element at the top surface being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the open configuration defines the flap being at least partially separated from the top surface to expose the interior cavity and wherein the closed configuration defines the flap being connected to the top surface such that the interior cavity is not exposed; and an pocket located approximately between each of the first and second, second and third, third and fourth, and fourth and first sides, each pocket being sized and configured to wrap around a distal end of a corresponding one of the four legs of the playard for securing the vented canopy tent to the playard.
 10. The vented canopy tent as recited in claim 9 wherein the pocket is an elastic pocket. 